INGOLSTADT FACT FILE
Thursday, 15. February 2018, 12:35 Uhr
After the draw against Nürnberg the Boys in Brown have five days in which to prepare for the long trip to Ingolstadt. The form curve at FCI, where St. Pauli play on Saturday, is clearly on the up. As usual, we've run the rule over our forthcoming opponents and come up with a few facts and figures.
Prolific pairing
Attacking midfielder Sonny Kittel is not only Ingolstadt's leading goalscorer with eight for the season, he also tops the rankings in terms of goals and assists, having turned provider for another eight goals. His total of 16 points puts him fifth in the league. Along with Alfredo Morales (four goals, one assist), Kittel is one half of the league's most dangerous midfield pairing. Striker Dario Lezcano is Ingolstadt's second leading scorer on six.
In the ascendency
Ingolstadt made a poor start to the season that saw them lose four of their first five games. Coach Stefan Leitl's side have rediscovered their form since then, however, and have lost just two of their last 14 games. That said, since returning from the winter break they have registered only one win from four outings. Last time out Ingolstadt drew 0-0 at Aue to slip from fourth to fifth in the table, though the gap to the third-place play-off spot was cut to three points at the same time.
Near-even head-to-head record
The two teams have met 11 times to date, with St. Pauli winning four, Ingolstadt three and four games ending all square. Our last success at the Audi Sportpark came back in September 2013, when Fin Bartels and Florian Kringe got the goals in a 2-1 victory.
Mainstay between the sticks
Ingolstadt's Norwegian goalkeeper Örjan Nyland, who joined the club from Molde FK in the summer of 2015, has kept nine clean sheets in 19 appearances this season, more than any other keeper in the league. The 27-year-old has been beaten just 17 times since round 4, when he took over between the posts from Martin Hansen, who moved to SC Heerenveen at the end of August.
Mr Dependable
With 23 goals conceded, Ingolstadt have the second-best defence in the league behind Sandhausen (19). One of the guarantees for their defensive frugality is evergreen Marvin Matip. The club's oldest player and captain is one of only five outfield players to have featured in every minute this season.
Active record holders
Ingolstadt's top two appearance-makers are still plying their trade for the club. Captain Marvin Matip leads the way on 251 appearances, followed by Moritz Hartmann on 211. The man with the third highest number of games played is also still involved: head coach Stefan Leitl (190).
Photos: Eibner
